Rumour: Avengers 4 title and trailer footage description leaked

WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS POTENTIAL SPOILERS

I can’t even remember when last – if ever – a movie title has prompted as much internet chatter as that of the upcoming fourth Avengers movie. Marvel has been keeping things completely close to the chest when it comes to revealing the title in the devastating wake of Avengers: Infinity War, with Marvel boss Kevin Feige and co-directors Joe and Anthony Russo just teasing the audience with cryptic clues, but not really saying anything. However, just over a week ago a new rumour popped up on regular scooper site MCU Cosmic claiming that they’ve unearthed the full title.

According to the site, “a source who is most reliable” claims that Avengers 4 will be titled Avengers: Annihilation. This has since been backed up by a couple other scoopers as well with their own sources. Previously it had been rumoured that the title was Avengers: End Game, but that contradicted Marvel’s claim that the title was never spoken as dialogue in Infinity War (Doctor Strange says “We’re in the end game now”) and this actually lines up with a mysterious image the Russos shared a while back that had objects on the set arranged to seemingly form the letters “AA”.

It would also explain to a small extent why Marvel has been so hesitant to reveal it. In the comics, Annihilation is the name of a huge 2006 crossover that revitalized Marvel’s cosmic line of books and would birth the modern iteration of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Other than that last bit though, it has very little in common with the Marvel Cinematic Universe as most of the action is centred around characters that Marvel will only acquire the cinematic rights for when the Disney/Fox merger completes next year. In the past, Marvel Studios has used the titles from big comic arcs even though they actually didn’t line up with the movie’s plot, as with Avengers: Age of Ultron or Thor: Ragnarok.

Not that this would have stopped fans though. The moment they heard “Annihilation”, they would have been off to the races coming up with new fan theories and then probably ended up disgruntled when the actual movie didn’t match up to their head-canon.

As for the movie though, it looks like we may be getting a look at it not too far from now. For those people who can’t wait though, a trailer footage description has seemingly leaked online. The leak first appeared on Reddit but was deleted after going viral. Usually, the only time these types of things get deleted off Reddit is if a studio officially files a complaint, and generally Marvel is not in the habit of officially complaining about random, baseless internet chatter.

Of course, this being the internet, nothing is ever truly deleted, and copies of the very detailed trailer description soon popped up online again. You guys can read it yourself in full below (via Express.co.uk), so I won’t spoil anything for anybody that wants to go in as clean as possible. I will say though that it sounds pretty damn awesome and, if true, has me even more hyped than before for 3 May 2019 release, if that is even possible!

The trailer starts off showing the damaged Infinity Gauntlet in a field on the farm planet. As the camera focuses in on the Gauntlet, we hear Tony’s voice: “We were destined to lose.” Epic music score starts. The Quinjet is shown landing in a Wakandan wasteland as we hear Steve Rogers say: “We have come so far.” Tony and Nebula step off the jet as the remaining Avengers approach. Steve has a look of relief and says: “Tony”. Tony, seemingly defeated, shakes his head and gives a friendly smirk back to Cap. Marvel Studios Logo appears.

We get a glimpse of the Battle of New York from 2012 Avengers. Loki is shown looking shocked and baffled as he is on top of the Stark tower. There is a flash of a blue light as the camera pans back. (Cuts to black) Next we see the Wakandan throne with M’Baku at the helm. He’s surrounded by his new kingsguard. (A mix of the hill tribe and Dora Milaje). Shuri and Banner are seen working on a new project in the lab. Black Widow, in full gear, is in Hawkeye’s family home from Age of Ultron. Basically everything is thrown all over the place and broken. Nat is studying some type of map with multiple photos and locations on it. A quick shot of Thanos is shown with a long sword, walking down an alleyway in New York City. The next shot is a dark hooded figure with glowing eyes, aiming a bow and arrow before shooting towards the camera.

(1-2 visuals of the Quantum Realm) Scott Lang (no suit) is shown running through a park dodging explosions. (Shot of Space) Thor and Valkyrie are aboard a Kree ship. Thor says: “If the stories are true, you’re our universe’s last hope. If such a thing even exists anymore”. The next shot is an older, determined Tony Stark walking through the new SHIELD HQ (Avengers Facility in upstate New York). He’s in full SHIELD attire and carrying an orange briefcase. Banner (wearing spandex) is seen running from something, looking terrified. The next shot is Ant-Man appearing out of a flash of light and landing in a desolate place. We see it from his point of view from inside his helmet. He looks left to right and to his left again and says: “What in the-“.

(Camera focuses on Vormir and its stars) Next, a shot of Rocket and Nebula modifying some new weapons in the lab. Rocket says “When can we try this bad boy out?” They both smile at each other and fist-bump. We get our first glimpse of Iron Man in his red and gold nanotech armor. Hulk falls from the sky and lands in front of him. Thanos, in full armor, smiles. Hulk smiles back. The next shot is in Japan. War Machine, Nat, and Steve (in their full Avengers gear) are surrounded by The Yakuza. Hawkeye (Ronin) walks through everybody from behind them and approaches the Avengers. There’s an intense exchange of looks between Clint and Natasha. (Next shot is at the Sanctum) Wong is communicating with Dr. Strange’s soul via portal. (Cuts to black) Grey haired Tony Stark and Ant-Man are in a post-apocalyptic NYC. The screen flashes back and forth multiple times through multiple scenes.”

We see Captain Marvel floating with her fists on fire and her eyes lit up. Thanos in the soul stone with young Gamora screaming at him, Loki and Thor fighting off Chitauri together and Tony handing Steve a brand new shield in the Wakandan throne room. (Cuts back to Tony and Scott) Tony opens the orange briefcase as Scott hands him an illuminated bracelet. Tony asks: “How?… Is this even possible?” Iron Man and Ant-Man are shown travelling through the Quantum Realm. Tony and Scott are back in the battle of New York from 2012. The final shot before the title reveal is an Infinity Stone disappearing from Thanos’ damaged gauntlet. He abruptly gets up and puts on his armor. His face goes from extremely infuriated to a menacing smile.

Title reveal: Avengers: Annihilation

Stinger: The Hulk is training at the new SHIELD facility with Black Widow and Steve. Steve notices that Hulk has been training non-stop as of late, so he asks why. Hulk responds in Banner’s normal voice with: “My rematch is coming real soon, I can feel it!”

A man of many passions - but very little sleep - I've been geeking out over movies, video games, comics, books, anime, TV series and lemon meringues as far back as I can remember. So show up for the geeky insight, stay for the delicious pastries.

Competitions

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is apparating into cinemas today, which should get all the Potterheads out there screaming in delight. And we're adding to that excitement by revealing the five winners of magical movie hampers worth R2000 each.

Advert

About US

Critical Hit is built on the idea that we are more than one thing. Are you a hardcore gamer who also enjoys a night out at the movies? Perhaps you’re a professional cosplayer who is searching for the perfect burger, or maybe you’re just interested in high-end tech and Netflix binging. Covering gaming, entertainment, tech and geek, Critical Hit offers information and critique from a staff of diverse, knowledgeable and fiercely opinionated writers.